Results
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£29.95Song for the Skies
Song for the Skies was commissioned by Tuba virtuoso Les Neish and was given its world premier on the December 9th 2010 with the James Madison University Brass Band in Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA.Les asked me to compose a slow melody that highlights the wonderful sonorous sound of the Tuba. I am a big fan of Les and of the instrument and knowing the capabilities of Les as a soloist I wanted to experiment with the range and colour of the instrument in this solo.After a warm introduction from the ensemble the soloist enters almost timeless over the muted cornets. The melody when it is first heard has a somewhat haunting Celtic feel to it. It is intentionally marked as con rubato so that the soloist can really put their own musical stamp on the music. As the haunting melody repeats again this time in a change of key the accompaniment takes more of a role within the piece of music performing counter melodies within this second section.The middle of the piece introduces a new secondary melodic device that serves as an introduction to the original melody played in all its glory by the ensemble. This dies away to leave the second half of the melody in the euphoniums and baritones as the soloist plays a soaring counter melody in the highest register of the instrument.The piece starts to return home with a recapitulation of the introduction followed by the second part of the original melody by the soloist. After a momentary reflective solo from the soloist the introduction is used for a final time before the tuba guides us home to conclude.For the soloist, there are a number of occasions where the opportunity to play in the upper register of the instrument arises. However, I have also given the opportunity for the soloist to play various passages down the octave so it suits the performers playing style and range.Song for the Skies is very simple yet beautiful and I feel it suits the playing of the Eb Tuba perfectly. I hope you enjoy performing it.Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£65.94Temperamental (Brass Band) Fendall Hill
This work by Fendall Hill was the set test for the 2021 National Brass Band Championships of New Zealand, B Grade. The composer writes: 'J.S. Bach (1685-1750) is deemed by many to be the 'Ulimate Composer'. He added an incredible proportion to the DNA of western music, and his influence is heard in the music of today. Like many artists, he was not overly recognised as a composer during his lifetime, and it took an 1829 performance of the St Matthew Passion by Mendelssohn to ignite a recognition of his place in the music world, a place he has maintained ever since. This piece starts with a similar spark of rediscovery of the music of Bach. It contains arrangements of various works, interspersed with composition based on Bach's chord structures, sections in the style of Bach, and original sections inspired by the moods created along the way. The first section explores the Toccata, and great organ works. This leads into an exploration of his choral works, and a finale based on the Preludes. The word 'Tempered' has different meanings, and all seem to apply to the music of Bach, and these appeal to the musical, engineering and spiritual aspects of my personal life. His music reaches to the humanity and divinity, it has strength, structure and order that creates frameworks in which incredible complexity reigns; and the complexity leads to a wildness, a kind of craziness that represents a range of human moods, and can change without warning. The same piece of music affects people in very different ways. I don't know if it's Bach's music, or us, but it can seem out of control and under control at the same time - the combination is highly temperamental. To view a follow-the-score video of the work please visit: https://youtu.be/zpNxITUqXZU Sheet music available from: UK - www.brassband.co.uk USA - www.solidbrassmusic.com Difficulty Level: 1st Section + Instrumentation: Soprano Cornet Eb Solo Cornet 1&2 Bb Solo Cornet 3&4 Bb 2nd Cornet Bb 3rd Cornet Bb Flugel Horn Bb Solo Horn Eb 1st Horn Eb 2nd Horn Eb 1st Baritone Bb 2nd Baritone Bb 1st Trombone Bb 2nd Trombone Bb Bass Trombone Euphonium Bb Bass Eb Bass Bb Timpani Percussion 1-4
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£72.99Pagan Songs - Etienne Crausaz
Written in three movements without a break, this work was inspired by melodies of a popular nature. The first movement features two opposing modal melodies: one is very bright and lively, the other dark and tuneful. Various motifs are developed to offer highly contrasting musical events. The second movement is very peaceful, with a melody resembling a lullaby. To conclude the piece, the last movement delivers a festive dance with a swing feel. Commissioned by the Swiss Music Association, this very accessible work is mostly intended for small ensembles or those with mixed instrumentation. The duration and conception of this piece makes it ideal for competitions and concerts alike.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£69.99Pagan Songs (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Crausaz, Etienne
Written in three movements without a break, this work was inspired by melodies of a popular nature. The first movement features two opposing modal melodies: one is very bright and lively, the other dark and tuneful. Various motifs are developed to offer highly contrasting musical events. The second movement is very peaceful, with a melody resembling a lullaby. To conclude the piece, the last movement delivers a festive dance with a swing feel. Commissioned by the Swiss Music Association, this very accessible work is mostly intended for small ensembles or those with mixed instrumentation. The duration and conception of this piece makes it ideal for competitions and concerts alike.Duration: 7.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£89.95Diversions, Op.97 (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Bourgeois, Derek
This work was commissioned in1985 by Skellerup, Christchurch, New ZealandMovements:Allegro VivaceAndante Con Moto Molto ExpressivoAllegro VivaceDerek Bourgeois wrote Diversions in the summer of 1985 to a commissioned from the Skellerup Brass Band.Bourgeois previous test piece, Blitz, was aggressive and forceful, therefore the composer decided to write a work of a completely different character, which although technically very demanding, is light-hearted in style, and easy on the ear, as the title suggests.The first and third movements share the same tempo, but are rather different in character. The first movement is a sonata allegro contrasting two main themes. The first is bold and jaunty and is heavily scored, the second announced by the solo horn is more lyrical in character. The development section and recapitulation are merged into a continuous interplay of the two themes.The second movement is an expressive andante in free rondo form. It is lightly scored for the most part with a lot of solo passages that make demands on the musicianship of the players and conductor alike. The very simplicity of its textures and the breadth of its melodic writing demand firm control of vibrato, phrasing and rubato.The brief finale is nothing short of a romp. Its ternary structure is highly rhythmic in character and only rarely do the performers enjoy the luxury of two consecutive bars in the same time signature!Duration: 11.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£44.95
Diversions, Op.97 (Brass Band - Score only) - Bourgeois, Derek
This work was commissioned in1985 by Skellerup, Christchurch, New ZealandMovements:Allegro VivaceAndante Con Moto Molto ExpressivoAllegro VivaceDerek Bourgeois wrote Diversions in the summer of 1985 to a commissioned from the Skellerup Brass Band.Bourgeois previous test piece, Blitz, was aggressive and forceful, therefore the composer decided to write a work of a completely different character, which although technically very demanding, is light-hearted in style, and easy on the ear, as the title suggests.The first and third movements share the same tempo, but are rather different in character. The first movement is a sonata allegro contrasting two main themes. The first is bold and jaunty and is heavily scored, the second announced by the solo horn is more lyrical in character. The development section and recapitulation are merged into a continuous interplay of the two themes.The second movement is an expressive andante in free rondo form. It is lightly scored for the most part with a lot of solo passages that make demands on the musicianship of the players and conductor alike. The very simplicity of its textures and the breadth of its melodic writing demand firm control of vibrato, phrasing and rubato.The brief finale is nothing short of a romp. Its ternary structure is highly rhythmic in character and only rarely do the performers enjoy the luxury of two consecutive bars in the same time signature!Duration: 11.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£25.95Heed the Word - Lucy Pankhurst
Lucy Pankhurst created this impressive work in support of a charitable project, known in 2005 as Brass Band Aid. The organisation called for original compositions to be included in a follow-up CD release - Into Africa to help raise funds for projects in Adet, Africa, and to build awareness of the Make Poverty History campaign.Lucy's creativity and imagination are very prevalent in this work - a complete mix of powerful energy and poignant emotions flow from the score. A strong use of pulsating drums are balanced with sheer tranquility and rich chords. It exudes hope and positivity and perhaps, through its title, offers a gentle warning to listen carefully to the concerns that are aired around us - not least in recognition of the challenges facing the very communities the CD was aiming to help.The work was recorded by the Prairie Brass Band, US and featured on the Brass Band Aid CD - Into Africa.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
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£89.95Diversions for Brass Band, Op.97 (Brass Band - Score and Parts)
This work was commissioned in1985 by Skellerup, Christchurch, New ZealandMovements:Allegro VivaceAndante Con Moto Molto ExpressivoAllegro VivaceDerek Bourgeois wrote Diversions in the summer of 1985 to a commissioned from the Skellerup Brass Band.Bourgeois previous test piece, Blitz, was aggressive and forceful, therefore the composer decided to write a work of a completely different character, which although technically very demanding, is light-hearted in style, and easy on the ear, as the title suggests.The first and third movements share the same tempo, but are rather different in character. The first movement is a sonata allegro contrasting two main themes. The first is bold and jaunty and is heavily scored, the second announced by the solo horn is more lyrical in character. The development section and recapitulation are merged into a continuous interplay of the two themes.The second movement is an expressive andante in free rondo form. It is lightly scored for the most part with a lot of solo passages that make demands on the musicianship of the players and conductor alike. The very simplicity of its textures and the breadth of its melodic writing demand firm control of vibrato, phrasing and rubato.The brief finale is nothing short of a romp. Its ternary structure is highly rhythmic in character and only rarely do the performers enjoy the luxury of two consecutive bars in the same time signature!Duration: 11.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£122.10Den store dagen - Benny Borg
This beautiful song contains a huge contrast between the hopeful and the disappointing. A mother has her birthday and is waiting her children to celebrate it. Each verse starts optimistically, but the short chorus is characterized by the disappointment, that everyone calls, and cannot come. This has been tried recreated musically, mostly in the last two choruses, as it dawns on her that she will not receive a visit. It's a beautiful tune, but with a serious message that it's easy to take someone for granted.One of the elements Hjorring Brass Band (DK) came up with after rehearsal, was that they really liked the change between the ballad parts with even eights and the swing parts. This also gives the piece a sense of "parlando" character, which tells a story, and is therefore important to focus. It is not quite simple, as the melody also in those parts with even eights has some triplet rhythms. Therefore, this is a topic you can work on very consciously.If you have heard the Wind Band version, you can notice that both keys and modulation are different in the Brass Band arrangement to sound better for this instrumentation.Regarding instrumentation, Flugelhorn, Solo Horn and Euphonium have important roles, in addition to Solo Cornet.It is also possible to use a vocal soloist, but then you have to soften the melody voices, especially, where small variations in the melody have been made for the wind instruments.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£80.00St. Magnus - Kenneth Downie
Dedicated to Alastair Massey, an inspirational music teacher. Commissioned by the Scottish Brass Band Association for the 2004 European Brass Band Championships in Glasgow. This music is a set of variations on the tune known as St Magnus, which is attributed to Jeremiah Clarke. Most people will associate it with Thomas Kelly's hymn which begins: "The Head that once was crowned with thorns is crowned with glory now". The tune is very simple, consisting of just two, four-bar phrases. Neither is there much in the way of rhythmic variety, every note being a crotchet with the exception of two quavers, and the last note in each phrase. Within such a simple structure, however, lies considerable strength. THEME The listener is given the opportunity of hearing it twice, in full, at the beginning, starting with one player but soon taken up by the full ensemble. It returns in the middle of the music and is stated again near the end. This has been done quite deliberately in the hope that there will be an appreciation of what material is being developed, by the listener as well as by those with access to the score, who are able to see the visual connections. VARIATION 1 This takes the rhythm of the last part of the theme and also uses the shape of the opening as a recurring figure. The mood is whimsical and skittish, with short, teasing rhythmic figures tossed around the band, and quick interplay with percussion, at a fast tempo. An energetic flourish finishes this variation before the Andante espress. VARIATION 2 This commences with chords related to the opening of Variation 1. The cantabile on solo comets establishes a new, lyrical mood and there is scope for expressive playing in a series of short solo passages. The theme works its way unobtrusively into the texture before a reprise of the solo cornet melody and some more lyrical interchanges between Eb bass, euphonium, flugel horn and comets. The variation ends serenely with clear references to the last phrase of the theme. VARIATION 3 The first idea to dominate is clearly linked to the shape of the theme's first phrase. There is a frenetic feel to much of this variation, with considerable energy and instability created by extensive use of cross-rhythms. A thinning-out of the score marks a clear change to development of the start of the second phrase of the theme. This proves to be short-lived however, and the opening material returns leading to a restatement of the theme, "Maestoso," after which a euphonium cadenza links to Variation 4. VARIATION 4 Here we have some solos for euphonium, cornet, trombone and Eb bass set against a background of horns and baritones presenting a pensive statement of the theme's opening. VARIATION 5 This commences Allegro, with lively work for cornet and euphonium spreading to the whole band before attention focuses on the beginning of the second phrase of the theme which is initially presented in diminution, then in regular rhythm, then in inversion. An increase in tempo coupled with a decrease in volume, requires dexterity and control, with several metrical challenges thrown in for good measure. The same fragment of phrase becomes an ostinato which generates a frenzied climax, punctuated by short, dramatic silence, before the opening figure returns and the music gradually winds down. The tubular bells herald the final return of the theme, in augmentation, marking the start of the Finale. FINALE This features the running semiquavers of the previous variation sounding in counterpoint. A fast, furious coda speeds the work to a conclusion while references to the opening of the theme are still trying to break into the texture of the music. Kenneth Downie
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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